Menendez's Mitchell finds home in Nebraska; Goins heads to Armstrong

Tityus Mitchell made a lot of great catches during his career at Menendez.

He could have never guessed that four of them, reeled in during a seemingly meaningless game in the spring, would dictate where he would spent the next four years of his life.

The senior wide receiver signed his national letter of intent to play for Nebraska Kearney, a Division II program that plays in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association, on Wednesday in a ceremony at the school’s gym. He had the stage to himself after girls soccer star Kailey Goins inked with Peach Belt Conference school Armstrong Atlantic shortly before.

“I had four big catches,” said Mitchell, who was an All-County receiver this past season. “At halftime, he (Nebraska Kearney offensive coordinator Andy Siegal) expressed interest and offered me. I just handed it to my coach and went out and played the second half.”

This was at the tail end of Mitchell’s junior season during a 14-7 spring-game win against Keystone Heights on May 25.

Mitchell didn’t initially accept the offer, but never really truly considered another school.

He took a trip to Kearney, Neb., and decided it was a place he could see himself in the future — one not so different from where he grew up in Hastings.

“It felt like a home away from home,” he said. “There’s not a lot of stuff for you to get yourself in trouble and it’s really laid back and what not.”

Kearney has a population of around 30,000 and, according to Mitchell, a lot of windmills and cornfields.

When he went out to visit, it was the first time he boarded a plane in his entire life.

“My ears were popping,” he said. “But it wasn’t bad. I didn’t mind it too much.”

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound wideout had five touchdowns and 588 yards receiving as a senior. He was a four-year player, following older brother Titus to the safety position, before switching over to offense after his sophomore year.

He spent most of Wednesday posing for pictures and trying to absorb the attention from a packed gym.

“It’s great. I’m getting a ton of love,” Mitchell said. “I’m excited that it’s all over with. Now, I don’t have to worry about college or any of that anymore. I can just relax.”

Mitchell also said he expects to step right in and play as a freshman. Nebraska Kearney won three of its last four games to finish 3-8 in 2012.

The connection is also a familiar one for Keith Cromwell — Mitchell’s coach all four years who stepped down after this past season.

Cromwell taught at the school nearly two decades ago.

“It’s funny how that happened,” Cromwell said. “I really had no idea they were even at the game.”

Cromwell also said he expects Mitchell to thrive in a place he still looks back on fondly.

“You know with him that he’s not going to do anything wrong. He’s a perfect ambassador for Pedro Menendez,” Cromwell said.

Goins was an All-County honorable mention for the Falcons last season as a midfielder.

Homeschooled since sixth grade, she admitted signing in front of a packed room of essentially strangers was a little nerve wrecking.

“I knew a few people,” she said. “But I definitely didn’t know a lot of them.”

She signed with Armstrong Atlantic, one of the top teams in Division II, and headed to the back of the auditorium to celebrate with family and friends.

Goins is a member of Flagler College women’s coach Teddy Meyer’s FC United club team and was able to find the link to Armstrong in her sophomore year.

The Pirates, located in Savannah, Ga., went 19-2 last season and lost in the NCAA Division II regional quarterfinals 1-0 despite being ranked No. 1 in the country at the time.

Athletic director Terry Sapp raved about Goins personality, as well as her ability to make an impact athletically.

The move will also allow Goins to play against fellow Peach Belt member Flagler, and return home to St. Augustine on occasion.

“It’s going to be great to see her play here in front of a home crowd,” her father, Scott, said. “And Savannah is not too far away. So, it’s going to be really easy for us to follow her.”

Kailey, who committed last January, will slot in at a holding center midfield position.

“I’m ready to go,” she said. “After waiting so long I’m happy the day finally came. I’m excited to get started.”